One entry...

Video Games: Persona Series.

...And I'm cheating. Atlus make excellent JRPGs, with a difficulty you just don't see as often today, bewitching plot, killer soundtracks, and come on, characters fighting with the power of Character Development has to count for something.

The two first entries are more like classical RPGs, while the later ones follow the protagonist along a school year, meaning time management for several factors, most important being proper bonding with the rest of the cast, taking place along the usual dungeon crawling and bosses fights, who went through several mutations at the occasion.

Titles are all across the PS line, although I recommend taking later versions of the games if you want to test them: the fact Atlus tries for constant improvement means older versions don't age so well when several comfort features of the later games aren't there.

Most recent entry is Persona 5 on PS4 and 3, and I think this one gets to be JRPG of the Decade. Just try this series people.

Well, I've got a real juicy game to show you- Eternal Card Game, by Dire Wolf Digital, the same minds that brought you Pokemon Trading Card Game Online and The Elder Scrolls: Legends.

It's a digital TCG that has all of the polish of Hearthstone, but all of the mechanical intricacy of Magic- which it should have, since the dev team includes Magic pros like Luis Scott-Vargas and Patrick Chapin. Needless to say, they know what they're doing. And it's also generous (the game gives you tons and tons of cards just for playing the game, so if you're fine with grinding, you don't have to pay a cent)!

Plus, it's not lacking in the story department, either, with four campaigns to play through so far and tons of lore to dig into!

So, with that all out of the way to perhaps get you hooked, I have some links to share with you:

First off, the link to the normal website for the game is over here.

However, if you can bear with me for a moment... one of the things this game offers so you can get more free in-game stuff (ranging from packs, to premium cards, to special exclusive avatars) is an invite system- the one who gives the invite gets free stuff, and the invitee gets free stuff, too! So, here's my invite link for if you're interested in that deal. (If you're not, but you're still interested in the game itself, there's still the first link.)

And finally, no TCG is complete without Johnnies brewing rogue decks, and one of the flagship Johnnies of Eternal is LocoPojo, the mastermind behind plenty of the crazy jank in this game- ranging from insane ramp decks, to hilarious surprise Piercing Grief rushes. Even when I'm not playing the game myself, this guy's videos and Twitch streams are just too fun to watch.

Or: So, I only found out about Young Wizards because I was on the Sentient Vehicles page on TvTropes to read more about Siddeley, saw the mention of sentient taxi cabs in SYWTBAW and thought "Hmm... I'll check it out."

That was 2011. Over the course of a year, I proceeded to check out all of the books available by that date (the old print versions, of course). The idea of being able to talk to anything really appealed to me, especially when it came to abstract beings and inanimate objects. =P

2012, I found the fandom on tumblr (because someone had registered the peridexis URL at the time - I think a spambot has it now, though), and everything sort of exploded. Through Young Wizards, I put more value into empathy, friendships, and Psychology.

You can say it made me who I am. :V

So, check out the books online, and maybe you'll learn something new about the world around you too, not just another realm of fiction.

Do I have plugs? Oh boy...

Okay, so, in no particular order:

Pern - Did you love late Discworld? Are you tired of grimdark nonsense crowding up your shelf, and do you really just want to read some classically optimistic Sci-Fi/Fantasy? Do you want to read something that is just straight up weird and a bit outside your traditional Sci-Fi/Fantasy? Pick up Pern. It's fantastic and amazing. In particular, pick up the Harper Hall trilogy, and then The White Dragon. Those books are perhaps the most beloved of the Pern series, and they're also just... fantastic. Especially Harper Hall. This is a book about people who love music written by someone who clearly shares that love, and wow does it show. Unfortunately, you have to read Dragonflight and Dragonquest first, which... aren't as good? Okay, Dragonquest is pretty good, but Dragonflight is... not. At least, not at first. By the end, it's excellent, but the beginning is weak, if not actually bad, and you can tell it's some of McCaffrey's earliest work. There are also issues with... okay, I'm not doing any of my rants right now. Not even the Dragonseye rant that's actually about Pern being awesome. Another time.

Discworld - okay, I mentioned late Discworld above, so... right. Excuse me for a moment...

Grabs Megaphone

IF YOU HAVE NOT YET AT LEAST ATTEMPTED TO GO READ DISCWORLD, YOU SHOULD GO READ DISCWORLD.

Sorry, but I had to make that eminently clear. If that's all you need, pick one of Guards! Guards!, Wyrd Sisters, Mort, or Going Postal to start with (or any number of others, but those are the classic starting points. Go. Now, really! I mean it!

It's sort of hard to understate Discworld's influence. The series is utterly brilliant, and Pratchett has inspired more people than I can count. Also, he's a direct influence on us. As in, the PPC. Pratchett's in the blood of this place, and that's reason enough to read him. And on top of that... I mean, I said utterly brilliant, I'm not sure that's even enough. It's smart, funny, poignant, and just a delight in every sense of the word. I'm sorry if I'm going on a bit, but it's just that good.

Amon Amarth - Not a book, but a band. If you like Metal, Amon Amarth does viking metal. It's kinda cheesy. It's also sorta awesome.

Doom (1993) - In my opinion, both the first id Software game and the first FPS that stands the test of time. Sorry Twisty. Go grab a copy of GZDoom so you can rebind the keyboard controls to something sane if you want to play it now, but the fact that that's all it takes to make the game feel pretty much modern is impressive, especially compared to its forebears, and even to some of its contemporaries (lookin' at you, System Shock).

By the way, I have a fully-working Apple IIgs at home, and that was the system that id's very earliest games ran on, before they even WERE id Software. So when my data transfer cables and such come in, I intend to try a hand a reviewing some of those.

NetHack - The DevTeam thinks of everything. NetHack is the oldest roguelike still in active development. Depending on how you count it, Nethack either begin development in 1981 (one year after Rogue's release), or in 1987. Either way, it's old, deep, complicated, and extremely absorbing. Also really really really hard. But still, if you want to get a feel for what a real Roguelike is like, this is the game to try. Well, this or Angband, being as they are the primary endpoints of the two oldest branches of the Roguelike family tree. Plus, both games are totally free.

The Zachtronics Game - For while it comes in many incarnations, there is only one Zachtronics game. If you like puzzles, get one (probably SpaceChem or Opus Magnum). If you're a programmer... ho boy. Zachtronics game us basically crack for programmers.

Homestuck...'s Soundtrack - Don't read Homestuck. Really, don't. Sure, it's alright, but it's not worth the investment it'll take. Especially after Act 5 Part 2, at which point what little degree of good pacing the comic had up to that point goes to hell and the whole thing ends with the most anticlimactic final battle I've ever seen.

But if there's one thing that is actually completely great about Homestuck, no compromises or asterisks, it's the soundtrack. "Sburban Jungle." "Explore." "Descend." "Savior of the Waking World." All of "Cascade." "Black." "Midnight Crew (Acapella)." "Unite/Synchronization." And that's just off the top of my head. It's one of the best soundtracks I've ever heard, and I've heard some pretty bangin' soundracks.

The Irresponsible Captain Tylor - It wouldn't be a Thoth recommendation list without SOMETHING obscure. So here you go. a mid-90s anime that parodies Space Operas and just... oh my god this show is funny. I'm not even kidding. It's one of the funniest things I've seen. Seriously, go watch it.

The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy - I'm not sure I have to post this one, but just in case... Well, it's H2G2. It's brilliant. Douglas Adams is a comic genius, and so long as you don't watch the awful movie, it really shows here. If you don't know what H2G2 is, I'll be glad to explain, but only if someone asks. I'm really assuming everyone knows and just putting this here to hedge my bets.

Snow Crash - if Cyberpunk is the house Neuromancer built, than Snow Crash did a lot of work on the house afterwards. This is one of the foundational texts of Cyberpunk and Post-Cyberpunk, and it's a heck of a lot more readable than Neuromancer. And more fun. And more technologically accurate. And just... it's good, okay? Well, good if you like Stephenson. You'll see what I mean if you read it.

2112 - Rush's Magnum Opus, 2112 is a great album start to finish, and is absolutely required listening for anyone who likes prog rock. Or anyone else for that matter. How many albums have their entire first half dedicated to seven-part rock opera detailing a story set in the distant sci-fi future? It's awesome!

1974 - Now's my chance to plug someone REALLY obscure. 1974 (not to be confused with The 1974) is a local band. As in, local to my state. I stumbled across them selling their albums in a tiny booth at a Con, shrugged, said, "what they hell, I like Prog Rock," and bought a copy of "1974 & The Death of The Herald," which the band recommended as the first one to pick up.

And that was arguably the best purchase I made at that con. We'll get to the other thing I bought fighting for that title next on this list, but I have listened to that album waaay too many times. It's stupidly good. Better than anything by just some random local band has any right to be. And it's another prog-rock sci-fi rock opera! (man, I love those things)... I think it's about... human clones revolting? Or not? And there's a galactic war that ended? Maybe? It's... really confusing. I'll have to ask the band when I see them again.

Atomic Robo - This is a comic book series about a sentient robot powered by nuclear power created by Nicola Tesla in the 1930s, that takes place all over time and space following Robo on his adventures. It also includes the line "When you return to you unobservable but empirically determined dimension of origin... tell them Carl Sagan sent you." (in The Shadow From Beyond Time, a good adventure to start with, and one of the best ones period so far) If that doesn't sell it, I don't know what will. It also has a spinoff called "Real Science Adventures", which shows adventures set in the same universe that don't involve Robo.

Did I mention that the writing's by the guy who did 8-bit Theater? It is. And that's great. Also, the comic's philosophy: "No Angst, No Cheesecake, No Reboots, No Filler, The Main Robot Punches A Different Robot (or Maybe a Monster)." That should tell you what sort of fun this comic is.

Because my favorite musical (and current obsession) is Hamilton.

Embarrassingly enough, I only got into this one earlier this year. I dunno why, I guess I wasn't that interested... but then I finally took a listen and it all just clicked. I love the combination of clever lyrics and awesome music, and being a bit of a history buff doesn't hurt.

But don't take my word for it, I'll link to someone who can explain how good it is better than I can: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=6sziLDcwSRQ

The more people I can get interested in this the better!

E.Y.E Divine Cybermancy is one of the strangest games I've ever played. If you fail to hack a system, such as other players, the system hacks you and turns you on your allies. At high levels you get a revolver that can take down attack helicopters. Notifications in the upper left corner constantly tell you that "you gain brouzouf" and "my legs are OK." It has 32 player co-op.

It can be purchased on Steam:

https://store.steampowered.com/app/9170/EYEDivineCybermancy/

Well, I'm going to plug some more obscure indie games that I love, in order to get them spread around.

Lichtspeer, also known as "the only ancient Germanic future lightning action game you need in 2016", is a humorous, wave-based action game where the main mechanic is a cool-looking light spear that the player throws at things. It takes place in an "ancient Germanic future" that looks a little bit 80s, full of enemies such as Hipster Ice Giants, Penguin Vikings, and Das Skater Walrus. Now, why are you up against these things? For the glory of the Lichtgods, of course! (And the Lichtgods are bored. That's the real reason.)

Watch the trailer, purchase, etc. at http://lichtspeer.com/! (Warning: Trailer contains flashing lights.)

I may have discovered Lovers In A Dangerous Spacetime just a few days ago, but man, it's cool! If you're into the "cooperate to pilot a spaceship" genre, or if you're like me and are just addicted to quirky futuristic games with glowing neon colors up against a dark background, this game is for you! This game can be played by up to 4 players working together to rescue stranded animals and fight constellations that have come to life through the power of something called Anti-Love. The more animals you help, the more you get to upgrade your ship to fight those glowing monsters! What's not to love?

Learn more here: http://www.loversinadangerousspacetime.com/

*Gasp* I see a pattern here! Can't get enough of those neon colors on a black background, but maybe rhythm games and (hey, like Undertale) bullet hell are more your thing? What about Just Shapes And Beats? This game can also be played by up to four players, and has a variety of game modes, ranging from Casual Mode, to a Story Mode that'll surprisingly tug on your heartstrings, to Party Mode, where the game plays itself! It's all about the music in this game, and thankfully it's not all dubstep.

Learn more at http://www.justshapesandbeats.com/

So yeah, these are three good titles with a common aesthetic, ordered (if I have it right) from most obscure to least obscure, as well as from "I love it and I will protect it forever" to "I'd love it more if I could tolerate the cranked-up bass better." Check 'em out. I'll send more plugs up this way as soon as I evaluate more games.

-Twistey

Generally speaking, we don't make more than one separate thread on the Board in succession if we can help it. The typical result of this is that other more important posts may be pushed off the front page by accident or otherwise obscured when people look through it for the most recent conversations. If you wish to talk about another topic immediately after you've made a post, there's always the option to reply to your previous post with "OT: [other topic you want to discuss]" or something. It's not that hard, really!

Anyway, I'd like to give a hand to a game I've recently downloaded called Rodeo Stampede, which comes to us from the same publishers who released Crossy Road and has a similar mechanic except much faster paced and more geared towards property management on the side. It's a quirky and surprisingly addictive endless runner that I'd highly recommend, if only because of SO many visual puns as unlockables and the occasional pop culture reference (and yes, Pop Vulture is indeed a thing in this game XD). They've even got dinosaurs in one of the unlockable worlds, and mythical creatures (including DRAGONS) in another!

Read more about it here: https://www.player.one/rodeo-stampede-crossy-road-publisher-lassos-fun-twist-endless-runner-games-541949